The Tweed de Chanel High Jewellery Collection is on Display in Singapore Until March 17

We highlight some of our favourite pieces from the Tweed de Chanel high jewellery collection

Tweed has long been part of Chanel’s lexicon, its significance going far beyond its practical use as a fashion fabric. To wit, tweed has come to symbolise founder Gabrielle Chanel’s creativity, rebellious nature, and her ability to transform the mundane into luxury. Formerly associated with the working class in Britain, tweed was valued by Gabrielle for its comfort and softness, and would become ubiquitous in her designs.

It’s no surprise then that tweed now makes an appearance in the world of Chanel high jewellery, this time reimagined using gold, platinum and precious stones. Demonstrating truly exceptional levels of craftsmanship, the Chanel high jewellery designers and artisans have emulated the construction and suppleness of the fabric in this series of jewels, each taking inspiration from a different aspect of tweed.

Pictures simply don’t do the collection justice, and lucky for us, Tweed de Chanel is currently on display at the Chanel Fine Jewellery boutique at Ngee Ann City until 17th March. Here, we highlight some of our favourite must-see pieces.

Above The Tweed D'Été necklace, featuring a 7.10-carat yellow diamond

Above The Tweed D’Été ring

1. Tweed D’Été

Valued at $2.67 million, Tweed D’Été is the most expensive necklace on display in Singapore, thanks to the 7.10-carat VS1 cushion-cut yellow diamond. As an accolade to the design virtuosity of the Chanel high jewellery department, the diamond does not overshadow the brilliance of the design, which imitates the unravelling of a tweed fabric, represented by the gold-and-diamond weave that unfurls into individual strands.

Above The Tweed Cordage suite looks like the button of a tweed jacket, constructed with white diamonds, pearls, and the twisted rope motif

Above The Tweed Cordage necklace

2. Tweed Cordage

Can metal and gemstones create a canvas that’s as malleable as tweed? In the hands of Chanel’s high jewellery department, the answer is yes. The Cordage suite imitates the weave of the tweed, interspersed with pearls and golden chains.

3. Tweed D’Or

Above Valued at $1.06 million, the Tweed D'Or necklace features a 20.4-carat imperial topaz

One of the more literal pieces in the collection, this necklace emulates the neckline of the tweed jacket, with a 20.4-carat imperial topaz serving as the fastener—simply rotate it to the right, and the necklace will open up. The silhouette is certainly deceiving—it might look rigid, but the structure is supple, as if made of a golden mesh.

4. Tweed Couture

Above Spinels of all cuts and hues feature in the Tweed Couture suite. Look closely, and you will notice that the golden edges have a "frayed" finish, to imitate the edges of the jacket

Once known as “imposter stones”, spinels have long shed their shoddy reputation as being ruby look-alikes and have become collector stones, especially the pink and red variants. The Couture range within the Tweed de Chanel collection not only highlights the varied hues of pink and red spinels, but also the different goldsmithing techniques utilised by the brand to emulate the weave of the tweed.

Above The Tweed Brodé necklace, wrought in white gold with diamonds

5. Tweed Brodé

What makes a Chanel tweed jacket, a Chanel tweed jacket? The craftsmanship, the construction, and the details. One of the most important characteristics that remains unseen, but is a crucial mark of a Chanel jacket is the metal chain lining, which helps it retain its silhouette. This chain serves as the inspiration for the Brodé suite. Here, another love of Gabrielle’s comes to the fore: look closely, and you will notice tiny camellias accentuating the diamond-and-gold grid.

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chanel chanel high jewellery tweed de chanel high jewellery jewellery fashion jewellery tweed spinels yellow diamonds gold